BTBC at KU to launch Entrepreneur Education Series

LAWRENCE – The Bioscience and Technology Business Center at the University of Kansas (BTBC at KU) is set to launch the BTBC Entrepreneur Education Series, a series of Friday workshops for entrepreneurs and those considering starting their own companies, starting Jan. 20.

Presentations will be given by highly successful, entrepreneurially minded executives and cover a range of topics relevant to starting and running a business. All workshops will take place at the BTBC Main Facility, located at 2029 Becker Drive on KU’s west campus. Many of the sessions will be followed by an Entrepreneur Happy Hour for attendees to network and cultivate industry relationships with other entrepreneurs.

There is no cost to attend Entrepreneur Education Series workshops. All sessions run from 4-5 p.m. Attendees are asked to register online.

For details, visit BTBC online, or contact the BTBC at 785-832-2110 or by email.

The BTBC Entrepreneur Education Series schedule for 2012 is as follows:

Jan. 20Socializing Your Brand: Get Beyond the Hype and Learn How Social Media Can Drive RevenueKris Millsap, creative director & co-founder, New Media Samurai
Kris Millsap, creative director and Co-Founder of New Media Samurai, discusses how to promote your brand, gain exposure to new customers and increase revenue through the use of social media. He begins by defining “social media” and “brand” and moves through the myths and realities to build a solid foundation to execute an effective strategy. BTBC Entrepreneur Happy Hour to follow. Register online here.

March 9SBIR Grants: Secrets to Creating a Winning ApplicationDon Colbert, Federal Research Funding Specialist, Kansas Bioscience Authority
It is very difficult to raise proof-of-concept funds using non-dilutive financing. Government programs like the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program are a source of non-dilutive financing to prove a technology works. Don Colbert will describe the SBIR program, the dos and don’ts of the application process, and the inside tips that will increase your chances of receiving a grant award.

May 18Successfully Raise Early Stage Capital: Key Tactics Every Entrepreneur Should KnowMatt McClorey, president, Bioscience & Technology Business Center
BTBC Executive Director Matthew McClorey will share his experiences in helping entrepreneurs raise close to $100 million over the past nine years. He will help you understand the process of raising early stage capital through debt, equity, angel funds and venture capital. He will also explain typical investment structures and terms, and investor expectations. BTBC Entrepreneur Happy Hour to follow.

July 20Technology Doesn’t Sell Itself: Build a Successful Strategy to Launch Your ProductMichael Johnson, President, Ingenium Partners and Miller Heiman
You’ve successfully developed your technology, but how do you develop a winning strategy to launch your product or service? With over 25 years of sales and marketing experience with GE, Siemens and Beckton Dickinson, Michael Johnson will discuss the five key elements for developing a successful marketing strategy applicable to technology and bioscience companies.

Sept. 21Protecting Your Intellectual Property: When and How Do I Protect My Ideas?Kyle Elliott, Partner, Spencer Fane Britt & Browne LLP
Want to build a moat around your company to keep out the competition? Kyle Elliot will explain how the use of patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets, can be used by entrepreneurs to protect ideas, innovations, and products from the competition. BTBC Happy Hour to follow.

Nov. 16Strategic Planning: Putting Your Business Plan into ActionShane Jones, Chief Executive Officer, The Astra Group
All companies need a roadmap for their businesses, but entrepreneurs can get bogged down in running day-to-day operations and lose sight of the big picture. Shane Jones discusses how strategic planning lays out the “who, what, when, and how” of executing your business plan to achieve your long-term goals.

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